Method and apparatus for abstracting concepts from natural language

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for abstracting meanings from natural language words. Each word is analyzed for its semantic content by mapping into its category of meanings within each of four levels of abstraction. The preferred embodiment uses Roget&#39;s Thesaurus and Index of Classification to determine the levels of abstraction and category of meanings for words. Each of a sequence of words is mapped into the various levels of abstraction, forming a file of category of meanings for each of the words. The common categories between words are determined, and these common elements are output as data indicative of the most likely categories of meaning in each of the levels of abstraction to indicate the proper meaning intended to be conveyed. This data is then processed according to a rule to obtain a result.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention defines a system for abstracting concepts from natural language. This system enables an input sequence of words in natural language to be abstracted into categories of meanings which represent the concepts underlying the natural language phrases. This technique has application to classifying the information in a sequence for use in expert systems, database processing, artificial intelligence, and other similar fields of endeavor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Human beings communicate ideas with one another using a mechanism known as natural language. Natural language evolved as a medium of communications, as human beings learned to communicate with one another. The specific evolution and structure of our natural language is of little concern to all of us when we speak or write in it. However, due to the inherent structure of natural language, it is an imperfect mechanism for conveying ideas. The human brain, through its intricate and somewhat intuitive workings, translates natural language into concepts and ideas, and allows communications between different individuals using natural language through a complicated translation process that no machine has been able to duplicate.

Machines have no intuitive conceptualization capabilities as of this date (1989). Therefore many difficulties have been encountered in the attempt to teach machines to understand natural language. Machines communicate in languages which were specially invented for the machines and which do not include the ambiguities endemic to natural, evolved languages.

One of the most crucial problems in the artificial intelligence field is the presentation to a machine of the conceptual knowledge behind natural language.

Conceptual knowledge is the knowledge which is known by a human being as a function of semantic meaning. Aristotle had the view (known as the Aristotlean view) that meanings are represented most commonly in concepts which are actualized by words. For instance, when a human being uses the word "chair", the purpose of the word is not to use the actual word itself (e.g. not the letters c•h•a•i•r), but to denote the meaning of the item (a chair) behind the word "chair". The interpretation of language (such as the word chair) as a whole functions primarily at the conceptual level. That is, in our example we interpret the language which we hear (the compressions and rarefactions of air which comprise the sounds comprising the word "chair⃡) as the item which is represented by the word "chair."

Aristotle's line of reasoning implies that meaning has three elements. The first element is the word itself, which differs from language to language, and even within its own language has inherent ambiguities. For instance, the word "chair" as a noun may mean a seat, a chair rail, or a chair lift, or as a verb, may infer leadership, e.g., to chair a committee, for instance. The second level are the mental images of concepts in the mind, which are signified by the word which are the same for all people. The concepts, for instance, are those which the listener develops when he hears the word "chair". The third element is the concept itself, which is the chair itself, and is the same for all people.

The second and third elements, the concepts and the things themselves, were believed by Aristotle to be the same for all people. It is only the words which differ.

Moreover, the concepts and the things themselves are totally unambiguous, while most words in natural language are ambiguous.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has an object of translating a sequence of words in natural language into a group of concepts based on the sequence, the concepts being of a type which are common to all people. The present invention links each word in a phrase to the concepts behind the word, to link the word to the concept.

The present invention defines a method and apparatus which translates each natural language word into a plurality of categories of meaning. Almost all words in natural language are ambiguous, and almost all words have such a plurality of such categories of meaning. After each word is translated into the plurality of categories of meaning which it can represent, common ones of said categories of meaning are ascertained. This determination of commonality indicates that this common categories of meaning may be an actual meaning conveyed by the phrase.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a database is used which includes a plurality of usages of each word organized into different levels of generality, called levels of abstraction. The preferred mode of the invention uses Roget's International Thesaurus, 4th Edition, to obtain these usages of each word. Roget's classification organizes each word into its conceptual meanings based on the membership of the the word in the cluster of linguistic signs that go to make up some large and very general concept. Such a database will be referred to throughout this application as a Roget-type database. Roget's index to Classifications is reproduced as an Appendix to this application. It includes four levels ranging from most specific to least specific, and all words in the English language can be classified into these categories.

A best mode of the present invention implements Roget's taxonomy along with the Principle of Commonality. This principle extracts the common elements within each level of an abstraction according to Roget's taxonomy. The program takes as input a sequence of natural language words. Each word is traced through Roget's taxonomy from the most specific to the most general. Each level of abstraction is then examined to determine common elements within the level of abstraction which are common to any two elements of the phrase. The common elements receive a certainty value, based on the number of occurences of the element. The common elements and certainty value are used to generically describe the knowledge contained in the phrase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows an example of Roget's classification system using four progressively more specific levels of abstraction, as used in the preferred mode of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a general flowchart of the operation of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a more detailed flowchart of the operation of classifying the words according to their meaning;

FIG. 4 shows detail on how each word is classified into the various levels of abstraction;

FIG. 5 shows a sample hardware layout of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of the operation of the rule used to correlate level of abstraction 2 with level of abstraction 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The inventor of the present invention has first made the realization of an alternative use of a database which includes meanings of words organized by levels of abstraction. One such database is found in Roget's International Thesaurus.

A thesaurus is a tool for transforming ideas into words. Its most common use is for determining synonyms or antonyms. When a writer has an idea (a conceptualization of a meaning) and wants a word for it, the writer consults a thesaurus in order to determine all of the possible words for the idea.

The inherent organization of a thesaurus is by conceptualization of ideas, organized into words which express the ideas. The inventor of the present invention has first realized that this organization has an application when it is used in reverse--to obtain the ideas behind words from the words themselves.

The inventor has also pioneered a technique for using these meanings, and has titled it "the principle of commonality". This technique is used for determining which ones of the many meanings are applicable to a sequence of words or phrase. This phrase may, of course, be a sentence. This principle finds common meanings between various words of a sequence and uses these common meanings as the key meanings: those which are most likely to be the ones of the meanings intended to be conveyed by the phrase.

The present invention has been embodied using Roget's International Thesaurus, 4th Edition, as the preferred embodiment of a database for obtaining ideas and meanings behind various words. However, it should be understood that any similarly organized database or classification scheme could be equivalently used.

Peter Mark Roget organized his thesaurus in 1852 by producing a finite list of unambiguous concepts, or categories of meaning, and identifying the relationship among these concepts as a hierarchy. Each ordinary word in natural language was mapped from the natural language into a hierarchy of categories of meaning, so that each word has its many meanings related into many of the single concepts, each of which is unambiguous. A proposed use for this is to determine synonyms.

Roget's conceptual taxonomy is organized according to the structure of FIG. 1. This cultural taxonomy is organized into four hierarchical levels of abstraction. The fourth level of abstraction is the most general, and has eight categories of meaning. All of these eight categories of meaning are shown in FIG. 1, and include ABSTRACT RELATIONS; SPACE; PHYSICS; MATTER; SENSATION; INTELLECT; VOLITION; and AFFECTIONS. All words in the natural English language can be classified into one of these eight, most-general categories of meaning within the fourth (most-general) level of abstraction. In fact, Roget has done so throughout his Thesaurus.

Within, and more specific than, each of these categories of meaning at the fourth level of abstraction are a number of categories at the third levels of abstraction. For instance, within the category of meaning at the fourth level of abstraction known as MATTER, there are three categories of meaning at the third level of abstraction: MATTER IN GENERAL; INORGANIC MATTER; and ORGANIC MATTER. All other categories of meaning at the fourth level of abstraction have a similar organization of categories at the third level.

Each of the categories of meaning within the third level of abstraction can be expanded into a number of more specific categories of meaning within a second level of abstraction. For instance, inorganic matter can be expanded into MINERAL KINGDOM; SOIL; LIQUID; and VAPORS.

Finally, the first level of abstraction and its associated categories of meaning are the most specific, and each of the second categories of meaning are expanded into first categories of meaning. For instance, SOIL can be expanded into LAND; BODY OF LAND; and PLAIN.

Roget has classified each word in natural language into categories of meaning within each of the four levels of abstraction. Some of these four levels of categories of meaning may not exist, however, for certain words. For instance, within the level of abstraction 4, the category of meaning MATTER has a third level of abstraction category of meaning labelled as MATTER IN GENERAL. Under this third category of meaning is no second category of meaning, but rather the third category of meaning MATTER IN GENERAL has only first level of abstraction categories of meaning depending therefrom, including UNIVERSE; MATERIALITY; IMMATERIALITY; MATERIAL; CHEMICAL; OILS AND LUBRICANTS; and RESINS AND GUMS.

The inventor has determined that using this hierarchy allows each word in a phrase of a natural language to be grouped according to its meaning. Each "word" in a phrase can be analyzed to determine the appropriate categories of meaning from the Roget's classification that apply thereto. These categories of meaning from the four levels of abstraction are stored as functions of their level of abstraction. When the entire phrase has been analyzed, common categories of meaning within levels of abstraction are determined and assigned a certainty value based on how many times they occur. If any two words in the phrase have a common category of meaning within any level of abstraction, there is a high probability that this is a meaning behind these words when used in the phrase. However, the commonality need not be between all words in the phrase and any two occurrences of category of meaning within any level of abstraction.

The term "word" is used loosely throughout the specification and claims, and refers to a structure which may be more than one natural language word. For instance, the word may include an article (such as "a word") or may be an entire verb such as "to obtain". It should be understood throughout this specification and claims that this terminology of "a word" refers to one conceptual structure to be analyzed, and does not necessarily refer only to a single natural language word.

As explained above, Roget's conceptual hierarchy can be used to trace the categories of meaning for a word through different levels of abstraction. The way in which this is commonly looked up using Roget's levels of abstraction, will be demonstrated herein using the word "human" as an example.

When the word "human" is located in the Thesaurus, the following entry is found:

HUMAN

N. PERSON 417.3

ADJ. KIND 938.13

MANKIND 417.10

PITYING 944.7

This shows four possible meanings of the word HUMAN and the different levels of abstraction within which these meanings lie. The meanings are either in a fourth level of abstraction category called MATTER (including numbers 375-421) or a category called AFFECTIONS (including numbers 855-1042). (See Appendix showing the synopsis of categories of Roget's Thesaurus.) Within each of these categories of meaning at the fourth level of abstraction is a plurality of categories of meaning for the third level of abstraction which includes ORGANIC MATTER (including categories of meaning 406-421 and in which mankind (417.10) and person (417.3) are included, SYMPATHETIC AFFECTIONS (922-956 and in which KIND (938.13) and PITYING (944.7) are included. Within each of these categories of meaning at the third level of abstraction is a plurality of categories of meaning for the second level of abstraction covering the meanings of HUMAN which includes MANKIND (417-418), BENEVOLENCE (938-943) and SYMPATHY (944-948). The word HUMAN can be mapped using this kind of exercise to obtain the possible semantic ideas behind the word. The correct one of these meanings is determined using the principle of commonality.

Roget's taxonomy of concepts is similar to what John Haugeland has called "stereotypes". However, Roget's system supplies the pointers to pick out the stereotypes according to our own natural language. The taxonomy reaches toward the deeper level to a level of communication, and is organized according to our natural language to enable us to more easily grasp the ideas behind our natural language.

One of the most important aspects about Roget's taxonomy is that it is not domain-specific. It not only contains information about tangible concepts such as physics and matter, but also about intangible concepts such as affection and sensations.

Although the preferred embodiment is described herein using Roget's taxonomy and Roget's Thesaurus, it should be understood that any similar database which includes information about uses of words could similarly be used. Roget's Thesaurus is the most comprehensive database of this type known to the inventor of the present invention, and therefore, has been used as the preferred mode. However, any other similarly organized database could alternatively be used, and should be considered equivalent in this regard.

The present invention makes use of a relation found by the inventor, using a principle of commonality, implemented into a program which the inventor has called "WordMap". This program implements Roget's taxonomy along with the principle of commonality. This principle extracts the common categories of meaning within each level of abstraction according to Roget's taxonomy. The program takes as input a sequence of natural language words. Each word is traced through Roget's taxonomy from the most specific level of abstraction to the most general level of abstraction. The categories of meaning within any level of abstraction are then examined to determine common elements within the level of abstraction. The common elements are used to generically describe the knowledge contained in the phrase.

The wordmap program will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures of the present invention representing flow charts of the wordmap program. FIG. 2 shows a most general flow chart of the wordmap program. FIG. 2 starts with step 200 in which the sequence of natural language words which is to be analyzed is obtained. Step 202 follows, in which a pointer, which is in this embodiment Roget's classification number, is determined for each word to indicate a category of meaning for each of the plural levels of abstraction in the pre-stored database. For instance, the pointers for the word human are the numbers 417.3, 417.10, 938.13 and 944.7.

At step 204, a determination of commonality of categories of meaning, and a determination of a certainty value for this commonality, is made within each of the multiple levels of abstraction for the words of the phrase. Any common categories of meaning within a particular level of abstraction are taken as "answers", and the certainty value indicates how many times the commonality occurs, therefore indicating how certain it is to have occured. At step 206, each of the common categories of meaning are stored. At step 208 these common categories are processed according to rules for the specific application. One example of such a rule will be described below. This ends the process.

A more detailed flow chart of steps 200-206 is shown in FIG. 3. At step 300, a variable x is set to 1. The variable x is used to denote the word number within the word sequence that is currently being processed. Step 302 is executed to access the word pointed to by the variable x. The particular word being processed is correlated to determine its categories of meaning at the various levels of abstraction within the pre-stored database at step 304 and the resulting categories of meaning are stored in an array at an address of the array referenced by array [x, LOA].

A test is made at step 306 to determine if there is another word within the word sequence. If the answer is yes, the variable x is incremented at step 308, followed by control passing to point 301 where the next word pointed to by the variable x (x now having been incremented) is obtained. If no other word is detected at step 306, the entire word sequence has been entered into the array, and the principle of commonality is applied beginning at step 310.

The principle of commonality is applied by processing the two-dimensional array to determine common elements within each particular level of abstraction labeled as levels 1-4, and certainty values based on a number of occurances of commonality. This involves setting up two nested loops. A first nested loop is set up at step 310, from 1 to 4, each element representing one of the multiple levels of abstraction. The second nested loop is between 1 and x, so that one word in the sequence is processed in each pass.

For each word in the word sequence, the contents of the 5 array at [N1, N] are determined at step 314 (N1 being level of abstraction, N being word number x). Each meaning of each word identified by variable x in the sequence is entered into temporary memory while the level of abstraction remains the same. Step 316 executes the "next" loop. At step 318, therefore, all of the meanings for all of the words in the particular level of abstraction (N) have been entered into the temporary memory. Step 318 finds all common categories of meaning and stores these common categories as the result for level N, as well as counting the number of common occurences to store this as the certainty value. This is followed at step 320 by an incrementing of the level of abstraction, to the next level of abstraction.

A brief explanation of the hierarchy and how each meaning for each word is obtained will be explained with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 corresponds substantially to step 304 in FIG. 3. Step 400 looks up word x in the pre-stored database to get its pointer into the many levels of abstraction. This number is processed to get the categories of meaning in each of the four levels of abstraction according to Roget's classification system at step 402. The categories of meaning comprising the four levels of abstraction are then stored at step 404, followed by step 306 (FIG. 3).

A first example of the operation of the wordmap program explained with reference to FIGS. 2-4 will now be given with reference to Tables 1 and 2 which follow:

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     WE HAVE       NOTHING   IN         COMMON                                      __________________________________________________________________________     I. Event      Nonexistence                                                                             Newness    Unimportance                                   Receiving  Absence   Location   Mediocrity                                     Production; Birth                                                                         Unimportance                                                                             Interiority                                                                               Language                                       Knowledge  Unsubstantiality                                                                         Reception  Plain Speech                                   Permission           Friendship Knowledge                                      Affirmation          Ingress; Entrance                                                                         Mankind                                        Memory                          Plants                                         Intelligibility                 Frequency                                      Deception                       Generality                                     Compulsion                      Normality                                      Possession                      Correlation                                    Retention                       Inferiority                                                                    Mean                                                                           Prose                                                                          Cooperation                                                                    Property                                                                       Participation                                                                  Amusement                                                                      Vulgarity                                                                      Commonality                                                                    Plainness                                                                      Dullness                                    II.                                                                               Possession Being in Abstract                                                                        Relative Space                                                                            Mankind                                        Power in Operation                                                                        Being in Concrete                                                                        Social Affections                                                                         Esteem                                         Comprehension                                                                             Existence in Space                                                                       Time w/Reference                                                                          Recurrent Time                                 Acceptance Adaptation to Time                                                                       to Age     Language                                       Consent              Motion w/Reference                                                                        Sharing                                        Recollection         to Direction                                                                              Comprehension                                  Transfer of Property External & Internal                                                                       Support                                                             Dimensions Possession                                                                     Adaptation to Ends                                                             Absolute Relation                                                              Conformity to Rule                                                             Distributive Order                                                             Comparative Quantity                                                           Discriminative                                                                 Affections                                                                     Linguistic                                                                     Representation                                                                 Recurrent Time                                                                 Vegetable Life                                                                 Pleasure; Pleasurableness                                                      Style; Mode of Expression                   __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     WE HAVE        NOTHING  IN     COMMON                                          __________________________________________________________________________     III.                                                                              Event       Existence                                                                               Time   Quantity                                           Power       Space in General                                                                        Dimensions                                                                            Relation                                           States of Mind                                                                             Conditions                                                                              Motion Order                                              Authority; Control   Sympathetic                                                                           Time                                                                    Affections                                                Possessive Relations Space in                                                                              Conditions                                                              General                                                   Communication of Ideas      Support; Opposition                                Intellectual Faculties      Organic Matter                                     & Processes                 Communication of                                                               Ideas                                                                          Intellectual Faculties                                                         & Processes                                                                    Possessive Relations                                                           Personal Affections                             IV.                                                                               Intellect   Space    Affections                                                                            Matter                                             Volition    Volition Space  Intellect                                          Abstract    Abstract Abstract                                                                              Volition                                           Relations   Relations                                                                               Relations                                                                             Abstract Relations                                                             Affections                                      __________________________________________________________________________

Tables 1 and 2 show a phrase WE HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON being analyzed and processed, and shows the categories of meaning for each word in the phrase, being grouped by word and level of abstraction. All common elements are underlined. Level of abstraction IV is the most general level and level I is the most specific level.

The phrase WE HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON is processed in level I (most specific) to obtain the common categories of UNIMPORTANCE and KNOWLEDGE. These categories relate to the phrase as follows:

First of all, this statement is about knowledge of the person making the statement (KNOWLEDGE). The import of this phrase comes from the meaning of the sentence. "We have nothing in common." generally means that our relationship is not important (UNIMPORTANCE).

Within the level of abstraction II (second most specific), the common elements are POSSESSION, COMPREHENSION, and ADAPTATION TO ENDS. The statement WE HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON is a statement of the user's comprehension. POSSESSION is also an indication that the possessions between the speaker and the speakee have nothing in common. ADAPTATION TO ENDS relates to the inherent meaning of the phrase, that there is no adaptation between the speaker and the speakee.

Level of abstraction 2 has the common elements of POSSESSIVE RELATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS OF IDEAS, INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES AND PROCESSES, CONDITIONS, and TIME. Among these, perhaps the most interesting is that of POSSESSIVE RELATION. The phrase WE HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON is the type of phrase which might be said from one person who knows another, as an intimate statement to the other. The principle of commonality has enabled this meaning to be gleaned from the phrase, even though no one word by itself might be indicative of this relationship.

The wordmap program has been explained above, and is used according to the present invention to abstract meaning from words within a sequence of words. Many uses for this program would be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art. For example, if the wordmap program were applied to semantic analysis, it could be used for natural language programs. The program could be used in expert systems for knowledge organization. This technique could be used in software engineering for systems specification. In programming languages, the present invention could be used for form, syntax and structure. In information systems, the present invention could find application in preparation of structure, organization and queries. In software libraries, this could be used for queries. In criminal investigations, it could be used for information structuring. Finally, in writing tools, the present application could be used for organizing information.

These examples are not intended to be limiting, and future research would be expected to obtain results which were usable in machine learning, man-machine interfaces, database queries and organization, natural language generation, programming languages, foreign interpretation, composition and text processing tools, expert systems design, and understanding, representing and implementing knowledge based systems.

The information obtained above from the phrase WE HAVE NOTHING IN COMMON gives unambiguous meanings for the words in the phrase. This is further processed according to the specific end application, so that it is output from this program in a more organized way. For instance, the information output in the description given above with respect to Tables 1 and 2, is processed using the processing step 208 of FIG. 2. One example of this processing step will be explained herein, it being understood that this example is only one of many ways in which the information could be processed.

The example provided herein is one rule which is used according to the application of specifying software structures. The example given is that of writing a program to correlate the curves of LINEAR LOGARITHMIC, SEMI-LOGARITHMIC, HYPERBOLIC and RECIPROCAL. These words are input to the wordmap program. The common categories of meaning within each level of abstraction, where Level of Abstraction IV is the most general level of abstraction and Level of Abstraction I is the most specific level of abstraction, are as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         WORDMAP RESULTS - COMMONALITY                                                  GENERAL                                                                        ______________________________________                                         IV.      ABSTRACT RELATIONS                                                             SPACE                                                                          SENSATION                                                                      INTELLECT                                                                      VOLITION                                                              III.     RELATION                                                                       ODER                                                                           NUMBER                                                                         TIME                                                                           STRUCTURE; FORM                                                                MOTION                                                                         HEARING                                                                        COMMUNICATION OF IDEAS                                                         VOLITION IN GENERAL                                                   II.      ABSOLUTE RELATION                                                              PARTIAL RELATION                                                               NUMBER IN GENERAL                                                              SPECIAL FORM                                                                   MOTION W/REF. TO DIRECTION                                                     REPRESENTATION                                                                 FALSEHOOD                                                                      PURPOSE                                                               I.       CORRELATION                                                                    SIMILARITY                                                                     NUMBER                                                                         MUSIC                                                                 ______________________________________                                    

A rule will now e considered for processing the Level II results. A rule is a set of information based on different conditions, which is generated once and stored to become a static part of the concept induction system.

The Level II results of processing this phrase (commonality in Level II) include the categories of meaning ABSOLUTE RELATION; PARTIAL RELATION; NUMBER IN GENERAL . . . ; PURPOSE.

The rule being discussed herein correlates between commonality in Level II and commonality in Level III. Specifically, this rule processes the Level II elements to obtain a Level III result. If the Level II and the Level III result are both present, the rule yields a Level I (most specific) result. The processing according to the the rule will be generally discussed with respect to FIG. 6. The FIG. 6 flowchart shows the derivation of the Level II-III rule. It starts at step 600 where the Level II categories of meaning which are obtained as common elements are processed. Each category of meaning, which will be referred to as COM x, is processed by determining all of the Level of Abstraction I categories of meaning which are subsumed within that particular Level II category of meaning. All of the Level I categories of meaning within the Level II COM x are processed to determine all of the possible meanings within these, and commonality is determined. This commonality is therefore a Level I result which relates to the Level II COM x.

Another commonality operation is executed at step 602 where the common categories in Level I (the Level I result) are processed to determine where these Level I results fit into Level III. The common categories in Level III are called the Level III results. Step 604 makes the rule for COM x in Level II. This rule is:

for COM x in Level II

if <Level III Result> then <Level I>.

Accordingly, this rule correlates the Level II category of meaning, COM x, with a Level III result. If the Level II result and the Level III result are simultaneously present, an answer is received which is the most specific category. An example will be given to follow through the example given for correlating the plurality of curves discussed above.

For instance, the term ABSOLUTE RELATION (Level II) within Roget's synopsis of categories shows the following:

II. RELATION

A. ABSOLUTE RELATION

9. RELATION

10. UNRELATEDNESS

11. RELATIONSHIP BY BLOOD

12. RELATIONSHIP BY MARRIAGE

13. CORRELATION

14. IDENTITY

15. CONTRARIETY

16. DIFFERENCE

17. UNIFORMITY

18. NONUNIFORMITY

19. MULTIUNIFORMITY

As outlined above, in order to generate this rule for Level II (C.O.M. x being 5. ABSOLUTE RELATION), all of the Level I categories, within the Level II category of ABSOLUTE RELATION are run "wordmapped" by getting each of their level of abstraction I categories of meaning and determining commonality between these categories of meaning. That is, the words RELATION, UNRELATEDNESS . . . MULTIUNIFORMITY are run through the wordmap program to obtain the common categories of meaning between these words.

The Words obtained from this correlation (Level I results) are used as the "Action" part of an if, then statement. The words generated by this wordmapping of the Level II.A. correlation include the words COMPARISON; INEQUALITY; DISSIMILARITY; AND UNITY.

Each of these results of the wordmap program performed on ABSOLUTE RELATION is then itself mapped into where it fits within Level III. For instance, the word COMPARISON, one of the results of the wordmap between the Level I elements under ABSOLUTE RELATION, itself is within the Level I category as no. 491. This is mapped into the hierarchy, to determine its Level III category. The Level III category for COMPARISON is INTELLIGENT FACULTIES AND PROCESSES. Therefore, a rule is made of the statement:

if <INTELLIGENT FACULTIES AND PROCESSES> then <COMPARISON>. This if, then statement is then executed whenever Level II--Absolute Relation is present, and gives the result "COMPARISON" when Level III "INTELLIGENT FACULTIES AND PROCESSES" is also present.

Based on the wordmap results for the specific example given above, each of the Level II elements is run through the rules generated with wordmap. This is done by determining, for each of the Level II elements, if any of the Level III elements for the rules in the specific Level II elements are present.

Referring to the rules given above under ABSOLUTE RELATION, the first if statement determines if "Intelligent Faculties and Processes" exists in Level of Abstraction III. The wordmap results for the program did not include "Intelligent Faculties and Processes", and therefore, the term "Comparison" is not obtained. Using the rule to process the above phrase through all of the Level II elements, the "hits" in our example are referenced with an asterisk in the summary given below.

    __________________________________________________________________________     ABSOLUTE RELATION 1:2:5 (that is, most general, level of abstraction IV,       #1: ABSTRACT RELATIONS; level of abstraction II #2 RELATION; level of          abstraction III, #5 ABSOLUTE RELATION)                                         if                                                                               < INTELLIGENT FACULTIES & PROCESSES > then <COMPARISON>.                     if                                                                               < QUANTITY >                                                                   < ORDER >                                                                      < CHANGE >                then                                                                              <INEQUALITY>.                                   if                                                                               < QUANTITY >                                                                   < ORDER >                                                                      < STRUCTURE; FORM >       then                                                                              <DISSIMILARITY>.                                if                                                                               < QUANTITY >                                                                   < ORDER >                                                                      < NUMBER >                                                                     < CHANGE >                                                                     < SUPPORT; OPPOSITION >   then                                                                              <UNITY>.                                        PARTIAL RELATION 1:2:6                                                         if                                                                               < MORALITY >                                                                   < COMMUNICATION OF IDEAS >                                                     < HEADING >               then                                                                              <REPRESENTATION>.                               if                                                                               < POSSESSIVE RELATIONS >  then                                                                              <BORROWING>                                                                    <REPRODUCTION>                                                                 <SUBSTITUTION>                                                                 <DUPLICATION>                                                                  <REPETITION>.                                   if                                                                               < POWER >                                                                      < CHANGE >                                                                     < NUMBER >                then                                                                              <DUPLICATION>                                                                  <REPETITION>                                                                   <SUBSTITUTION>                                                                 <REPRODUCTION>.                                 NUMBER IN GENERAL 1:5:17                                                       if                                                                               < ORDER >                 then                                                                              <CLASSIFICATION>.*                              SPECIAL FORM 2:13:40                                                           if                                                                               < QUANTITY >              then                                                                              <COMPLEXITY>                                                                   <SIMPLICITY>.                                   MOTION W/REFERENCE TO DIRECTION 2:14:45                                        if                                                                               < RELATION >              then                                                                              <DIFFERENCE>*                                                                  <NONUNIFORMITY>*                                                               <SIMILARITY>*                                                                  <INCREASE>*                                                                    <DECREASE>.*                                    if                                                                               < ORDER >                 then                                                                              <SEQUENCE>*                                                                    <DISCONTINUITY>*                                                               <ASSEMBLAGE>*                                                                  <ABNORMALITY>*                                  if                                                                               < TIME >                  then                                                                              <REGULARITY OF                                                                 OCCURRENCE>.*                                   if                                                                               < CHANGE >                then                                                                              <CHANGE>.                                       REPRESENTATION 6:33:95                                                         if                                                                               < COMMUNICATION OF IDEAS >                                                                               then                                                                              < FALSENESS>.*                                  FALSEHOOD 6:33:104                                                             if                                                                               <INTELLECTUAL FACULTIES & PROCESSES>                                                                     then                                                                              <ILLUSION>.                                     if                                                                               < MORALITY                then                                                                              <IMPROBITY>.                                    PURPOSE 7:34:113                                                               if                                                                               < COMMUNICATION OF IDEAS >                                                                               then                                                                              <MEANING>.*                                     __________________________________________________________________________

The asterisked terms representing correlations which have proved successful include the terms "Classification"; "Difference"; "Nonuniformity"; "Similarity"; "Increase"; "Decrease"; "Sequence"; "Discontinuity"; "Assemblage"; "Abnormality"; "Regularity of Occurrence"; "Change"; "Falseness" and "Meaning". This represents the output of the correlation between Levels II and III for a program to correlate linear, logarithmic, semi-logarithmic and hyperbolic and reciprocal curves.

A careful examination of these terms shows that they indicate functions that would have to be performed in order to correlate the curves given above. The end result of the wordmapping followed by the processing according to the rules gives a number of the functions which are required to correlate the curves: linear, logarithmic, semi-logarithmic, hyperbolic and reciprocal.

To again summarize this rule:

1) Each category of meaning in Level II is processed (example, MOTION WITH REFERENCE TO DIRECTION, Level II, fifth result), by analyzing each Level I category of meaning within the each Level II category of meaning and determining commonality. (Here, we would do a wordmap between DIRECTION, DEVIATION, LEADING, FOLLOWING . . . OSCILLATION, AGITATION which are the Level I categories of meaning under MOTION WITH REFERENCE TO DIRECTION)

2) The common categories of meaning (here, DIFFERENCE, NONUNIFORMITY, SIMILARITY, INCREASE, DECREASE . . . REGULARITY OF OCCURRENCE, CHANGE) are themselves analyzed, to find the Level III category of meaning within which they are classified.

3) The rule is established as: if >the Level III category obtained≦ (step 2, for instance RELATION) as a result when processing the Level II category found during the wordmap here MOTION W/REFERANCE TO DIRECTION), is itself found as an category of meaning of the wordmap, (here, it is) then <the Level I category(s) which led to this Level III category> (here, DIFFERENCE, NONUNIFORMITY, SIMILARITY, INCREASE, DECREASE) is obtained as a result.

A representative processing structure, including a programmed computer 500 is shown in FIG. 5. This programmed computer 500 includes a memory 502 which includes both temporary memory for storing results, and static memory storing the program used according to the present invent on. A CPU 504 is connected to the memory via buses of the usual sort. The CPU executes the program in the memory, and also uses the memory for storage. Element 506 is used to denote associated circuitry and includes the necessary circuitry associated with the programmed computer such as the clock, the timer chip, the I/O controller, and all other circuitry which is known by those of ordinary skill in the art.

Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail above, those having ordinary skill in the art will certainly understand that many modifications are possible in the preferred embodiment without departing from the teachings thereof. For instance, the CPU 504 could be any kind of CPU including any known CPU, a Z-80, or any of the family 86(86,186,286) CPUs. The memory 502 could be of any conventional type.

Although Roget's Thesaurus has been described as being used as the preferred embodiment, any similar database other than Roget's Thesaurus, called herein a Roget-type database, could be similarly used. Any database which organizes each word into its conceptual meanings based on the membership of the the word in the cluster of linguistic signs that go to make up some large and very general concept could be used as the database, and should be considered equivalent in this regard. Although natural language analysis has been described, any kind of phrase could similarly be analyzed, and all such languages should be considered equivalent.

Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be encompassed within the following claims.

                  APPENDIX                                                         ______________________________________                                         CLASS ONE: ABSTRACT RELATIONS                                                  I.        EXISTENCE                                                            A.        Being in the Abstract                                                            1. Existence                                                                   2. Nonexistence                                                    B.        Being in the Concrete                                                            3. Substantiality                                                              4. Unsubstantiality                                                C.        Formal Existence                                                                 5. Intrinsicality                                                              6. Extrinsicality                                                  D.        Modal Existence                                                                  7. State                                                                       8. Circumstance                                                    II.       RELATION                                                             A.        Absolute Relation                                                                9. Relation                                                                   10. Unrelatedness                                                              11. Relationship by Blood                                                      12. Relationship by Marriage                                                   13. Correlation                                                                14. Identity                                                                   15. Contrariety                                                                16. Difference                                                                 17. Uniformity                                                                 18. Nonuniformity                                                              19. Multiformity                                                    B.        Partial Relation                                                                20. Similarity                                                                 21. Dissimilarity                                                              22. Imitation                                                                  23. Nonimitation                                                               24. Copy                                                                       25. Model                                                           C.        Correspondence of Relationship                                                  26. Agreement                                                                  27. Disagreement                                                    III.      Quantity                                                             A.        Simple Quantity                                                                 28. Quantity                                                                   29. Degree                                                          B.        Comparative Quantity                                                            30. Equality                                                                   31. Inequality                                                                 32. Mean                                                                       33. Compensation                                                               34. Greatness                                                                  35. Smallness                                                                  36. Superiority                                                                37. Inferiority                                                                38. Increase                                                                   39. Decrease                                                        C.        Conjunctive Quantity                                                            40. Addition                                                                   41. Adjunct                                                                    42. Subtraction                                                                43. Remainder                                                                  44. Mixture                                                                    45. Simplicity                                                                 46. Complexity                                                                 47. Joining                                                                    48. Analysis                                                                   49. Separation                                                                 50. Cohesion                                                                   51. Noncohesion                                                                52. Combination                                                                53. Disintegration                                                  D.        Wholeness                                                                       54. Whole                                                                      55. Part                                                                       56. Completeness                                                               57. Incompleteness                                                             58. Composition                                                     IV.       ORDER                                                                A.        Order in General                                                                59. Order                                                                      60. Arrangement                                                                61. Classification                                                             62. Disorder                                                                   63. Disarrangement                                                  B.        Consecutive Order                                                               64. Precedence                                                                 65. Sequence                                                                   66. Precursor                                                                  67. Sequel                                                                     68. Beginning                                                                  69. Middle                                                                     70. End                                                                        71. Continuity                                                                 72. Discontinuity                                                   C.        Collective Order                                                                73. Accompaniment                                                              74. Assemblage                                                                 75. Dispersion                                                      D.        Distributive Order                                                              76. Inclusion                                                                  77. Exclusion                                                                  78. Extraneousness                                                             79. Generality                                                                 80. Particularity                                                              81. Specialty                                                       E.        Conformity to Rule                                                              82. Conformity                                                                 83. Noncomformity                                                              84. Normality                                                                  85. Abnormality                                                     V.        NUMBER                                                               A.        Number in General                                                               86. Number                                                                     87. Numeration                                                                 88. List                                                            B.        Determinate Number                                                              89. Unity                                                                      90. Duality                                                                    91. Duplication                                                                92. Bisection                                                                  93. Three                                                                      94. Triplication                                                               95. Trisection                                                                 96. Four                                                                       97. Quadruplication                                                            98. Quadrisection                                                              99. Five and Over                                                   C.        Indeterminate Number                                                            100. Plurality                                                                 101. Numerousness                                                              102. Fewness                                                                   103. Repetition                                                                104. Infinity                                                       VI.       TIME                                                                 A.        Absolute Time                                                                   105. Time                                                                      106. Timelessness                                                              107. Period                                                                    108. Spell                                                                     109. Interim                                                                   110. Durability                                                                111. Transience                                                                112. Perpetuity                                                                113. Instantaneousness                                                         114. Measurement of Time                                                       115. Anachronism                                                    B.        Relative Time                                                                   116. Priority                                                                  117. Posteriority                                                              118. Simultaneity                                                              119. The Past                                                                  120. The Present                                                               121. The Future                                                     C.        Time with Reference                                                            to Age                                                                          122. Newness                                                                   123. Oldness                                                                   124. Youth                                                                     125. Youngster                                                                 126. Age                                                                       127. Adult or Old Person                                            D.        Time with Reference                                                            to Season                                                                       128. Season                                                                    129. Timeliness                                                                130. Untimeliness                                                              131. Earliness                                                                 132. Lateness                                                                  133. Morning, Noon                                                             134. Evening, Night                                                 E.        Recurrent Time                                                                  135. Frequency                                                                 136. Infrequency                                                               137. Regularity of Recurrence                                                  138. Irregularity of Recurrence                                     VII.      CHANGE                                                                          139. Change                                                                    140. Permanence                                                                141. Changeableness                                                            142. Stability                                                                 143. Continuance                                                               144. Cessation                                                                 145. Conversion                                                                146. Reversion                                                                 147. Revolution                                                                148. Evolution                                                                 149. Substitution                                                              150. Interchange                                                    VIII.     EVENT                                                                           151. Event                                                                     152. Imminence                                                      IX.       CAUSATION                                                                       153. Cause                                                                     154. Effect                                                                    155. Attribution                                                               156. Chance                                                         X.        POWER                                                                A.        Power in General                                                                157. Power, Potency                                                            158. Impotence                                                                 159. Strength                                                                  160. Weakness                                                                  161. Energy                                                                    162. Violence                                                                  163. Moderation                                                     B.        Power in Operation                                                              164. Operation                                                                 165. Productiveness                                                            166. Unproductiveness                                                          167. Production, Birth                                                         168. Product                                                                   169. Reproduction, Procreation                                                 170. Ancestry                                                                  171. Posterity                                                      C.        Indirect Power                                                                  172. Influence                                                                 173. Absence of Influence                                                      174. Tendency                                                                  175. Liability                                                                 176. Involvement                                                    D.        Combination of Forces                                                           177. Concurrence                                                               178. Counteraction                                                  CLASS TWO: SPACE                                                               I.        SPACE IN GENERAL                                                     A.        Abstract Space                                                                  179. Space                                                          B.        Specific Space                                                                  180. Region                                                                    181. Country                                                                   182. The Country                                                               183. Town, City                                                     C.        Relative Space                                                                  184. Location                                                                  185. Dislocation                                                    D.        Existence in Space                                                              186. Presence                                                                  187. Absence                                                                   188. Habitation                                                                189. Nativeness                                                                190. Inhabitant, Native                                                        191. Abode, Habitat                                                            192. Room                                                                      193. Container                                                                 194. Contents                                                       II.       DIMENSIONS                                                           A.        General Dimensions                                                              195. Size                                                                      196. Littleness                                                                197. Expansion, Growth                                                         198. Contraction                                                               199. Distance                                                                  200. Nearness                                                                  201. Interval                                                       B.        Linear Dimensions                                                               202. Length                                                                    203. Shortness                                                                 204. Breadth, Thickness                                                        205. Narrowness, Thinness                                                      206. Filament                                                                  207. Height                                                                    208. Lowness                                                                   209. Depth                                                                     210. Shallowness                                                               211. Top                                                                       212. Bottom                                                                    213. Verticalness                                                              214. Horizontalness                                                            215. Pendancy                                                                  216. Support                                                                   217. Shaft                                                                     218. Parallelism                                                               219. Obliquity                                                                 220. Inversion                                                                 221. Crossing                                                                  222. Weaving                                                                   223. Sewing                                                         C.        External and Internal                                                          Dimensions                                                                      224. Exteriority                                                               225. Interiority                                                               226. Centrality                                                                227. Layer                                                                     228. Covering                                                                  229. Skin                                                                      230. Hair, Feathers                                                            231. Clothing                                                                  232. Divestment                                                                233. Environment                                                               234. Circumscription                                                           235. Bounds                                                                    236. Enclosure                                                                 237. Interposition                                                             238. Intrusion                                                                 239. Contraposition                                                            240. Front                                                                     241. Rear                                                                      242. Side                                                                      243. Right Side                                                                244. Left Side                                                      III.      STRUCTURE; FORM                                                      A.        General Form                                                                    245. Structure                                                                 246. Form                                                                      247. Formlessness                                                              248. Symmetry                                                                  249. Distortion                                                     B.        Special Form                                                                    250. Straightness                                                              251. Angularity                                                                252. Curvature                                                                 253. Circularity                                                               254. Convolution                                                               255. Sphericity, Rotundity                                          C.        Superficial Form                                                                256. Convexity, Protuberance                                                   257. Concavity                                                                 258. Sharpness                                                                 259. Bluntness                                                                 260. Smoothness                                                                261. Roughness                                                                 262. Notch                                                                     263. Furrow                                                                    264. Fold                                                                      265. Opening                                                                   266. Closure                                                        IV.       MOTION                                                               A.        Motion in General                                                               267. Motion                                                                    268. Quiescence                                                                269. Swiftness                                                                 270. Slowness                                                       B.        Change of Place                                                                 271. Transference                                                              272. Vehicle                                                                   273. Travel                                                                    274. Traveler                                                                  275. Water Travel                                                              276. Mariner                                                                   277. Ship, Boat                                                                278. Aviation                                                                  279. Aviator                                                                   280. Aircraft                                                                  281. Rocketry, Missilery                                                       282. Space Travel                                                   C.        Motion Conjoined with                                                          Force                                                                           283. Impulse, Impact                                                           284. Reaction                                                                  285. Pushing, Throwing                                                         286. Pulling                                                                   287. Leverage, Purchase                                                        288. Attraction                                                                289. Repulsion                                                      D.        Motion with Reference                                                          to Direction                                                                    290. Direction                                                                 291. Deviation                                                                 292. Leading                                                                   293. Following                                                                 294. Progression                                                               295. Regression                                                                296. Approach                                                                  297. Recession                                                                 298. Convergence                                                               299. Divergence                                                                300. Arrival                                                                   301. Departure                                                                 302. Ingress, Entrance                                                         303. Egress, Emergence                                                         304. Insertion                                                                 305. Extraction                                                                306. Reception                                                                 307. Eating                                                                    308. Food                                                                      309. Nutrition                                                                 310. Ejection                                                                  311. Excretion                                                                 312. Secretion                                                                 313. Overrunning                                                               314. Shortcoming                                                               315. Ascent                                                                    316. Descent                                                                   317. Elevation                                                                 318. Depression                                                                319. Leap                                                                      320. Plunge                                                                    321. Circuitousness                                                            322. Rotation                                                                  323. Oscillation                                                               324. Agitation                                                      CLASS THREE: PHYSICS                                                           I.        PHYSICS                                                                         325. Physics                                                                   326. Atomics                                                                   327. Radiation and Radioactivity                                    II.       HEAT                                                                            328. Heat                                                                      329. Heating                                                                   330. Cooking                                                                   331. Fuel                                                                      332. Incombustibility                                                          333. Cold                                                                      334. Refrigeration                                                  III.      LIGHT                                                                           335. Light                                                                     336. Light Source                                                              337. Darkness, Dimness                                                         338. Shade                                                                     339. Transparency                                                              340. Semitransparency                                                          341. Opaqueness                                                     IV.       ELECTRICITY AND                                                                ELECTRONICS                                                                     342. Electricity                                                               343. Electronics                                                               344. Radio                                                                     345. Television                                                                346. Radar and Radiolocators                                        V.        MECHANICS                                                                       347. Mechanics                                                                 348. Tools and Machinery                                                       349. Automation                                                                350. Friction                                                       VI.       PHYSICAL PROPERTIES                                                             351. Texture                                                                   352. Weight                                                                    353. Lightness                                                                 354. Density                                                                   355. Rarity                                                                    356. Hardness, Rigidity                                                        357. Softness, Pliancy                                                         358. Elasticity                                                                359. Toughness                                                                 360. Brittleness, Fragility                                                    361. Powderiness, Crumbliness                                       VII.      COLOR                                                                           362. Color                                                                     363. Colorlessness                                                             364. Whiteness                                                                 365. Blackness                                                                 366. Grayness                                                                  367. Browness                                                                  368. Redness                                                                   369. Orangeness                                                                370. Yellowness                                                                371. Greenness                                                                 372. Blueness                                                                  373. Purpleness                                                                374. Variegation                                                    CLASS FOUR: MATTER                                                             I.        MATTER IN GENERAL                                                               375. Universe                                                                  376. Materiality                                                               377. Immateriality                                                             378. Materials                                                                 379. Chemicals                                                                 380. Oils, Lubricants                                                          381. Resins, Gums                                                   II.       INORGANIC MATTER                                                     A.        Mineral Kingdom                                                                 382. Inorganic Matter                                                          383. Minerals and Metals                                                       384. Rock                                                           B.        Soil                                                                            385. Land                                                                      386. Body of Land                                                              387. Plain                                                          C.        Liquids                                                                         388. Liquidity                                                                 389. Semiliquidity                                                             390. Pulpiness                                                                 391. Liquefaction                                                              392. Moisture                                                                  393. Dryness                                                                   394. Rain                                                                      395. Stream                                                                    396. Channel                                                                   397. Ocean                                                                     398. Lake, Pool                                                                399. Inlet, Gulf                                                               400. Marsh                                                          D.        Vapors                                                                          401. Vapor, Gas                                                                402. Air                                                                       403. Wind                                                                      404. Cloud                                                                     405. Bubble                                                         III.      ORGANIC MATTER                                                       A.        Animal and Vegetable                                                           Kingdom                                                                         406. Organic Matter                                                 B.        Vitality                                                                        407. Life                                                                      408. Death                                                                     409. Killing                                                                   410. Interment                                                      C.        Vegetable Life                                                                  411. Plants                                                                    412. Botany                                                                    413. Agriculture                                                    D.        Animal Life                                                                     414. Animals, Insects                                                          415. Zoology                                                                   416. Animal Husbandry                                               E.        Mankind                                                                         417. Mankind                                                                   418. Peoples                                                        F.        Male and Female                                                                 419. Sex                                                                       420. Masculinity                                                               421. Femininity                                                     CLASS FIVE: SENSATION                                                          I.        SENSATION IN                                                                   GENERAL                                                                         422. Sensation                                                                 423. Insensibility                                                             424. Pain                                                           II.       TOUCH                                                                           425. Touch                                                                     426. Sensations of Touch                                            III.      TASTE                                                                           427. Taste                                                                     428. Savoriness                                                                429. Unsavoriness                                                              430. Insipidness                                                               431. Sweetness                                                                 432. Sourness                                                                  433. Pungency                                                                  434. Tabacco                                                        IV.       SMELL                                                                           435. Odor                                                                      436. Fragrance                                                                 437. Stench                                                                    438. Odorlessness                                                   V.        SIGHT                                                                           439. Vision                                                                    440. Defective Vision                                                          441. Blindness                                                                 442. Spectator                                                                 443. Optical Instruments                                                       444. Visibility                                                                445. Invisibility                                                              446. Appearance                                                                447. Disappearance                                                  VI.       HEARING                                                              A.        Perception of Sound                                                             448. Hearing                                                                   449. Deafness                                                       B.        Sound                                                                           450. Sound                                                                     451. Silence                                                                   452. Faintness of Sound                                                         453. Loudness                                                      C.        Specific Sounds                                                                 454. Resonance                                                                 455. Repeated Sounds                                                           456. Explosive Noise                                                           457. Sibilation                                                                458. Stridor                                                                   459. Cry, Call                                                                 460. Animal Sounds                                                  D.        Unmusical Sounds                                                                461. Discord                                                        E.        Musical Sounds                                                                  462. Music                                                                     463. Harmonics, Musical                                                       Elements                                                                        464. Musician                                                                  465. Musical Instruments                                            CLASS SIX: INTELLECT                                                           I.        INTELLECTUAL                                                                   FACULTIES AND                                                                  PROCESSES                                                            A.        Faculties                                                                       466. Intellect                                                                 467. Intelligence, Wisdom                                                      468. Wise Man                                                                  469. Unintelligence                                                            470. Foolishness                                                               471. Fool                                                                      472. Sanity                                                                    473. Insanity, Mania                                                           474. Eccentricity                                                   B.        Comprehension                                                                   475. Knowledge                                                                 476. Intellectual                                                              477. Ignorance                                                      C.        Functions of the Mind                                                           478. Thought                                                                   479. Idea                                                                      480. Absence of Thought                                                        481. Intuition                                                      D.        Reasoning Processes                                                             482. Reasoning                                                                 483. Sophistry                                                      E.        Consideration                                                                   484. Topic                                                                     485. Inquiry                                                                   486. Answer                                                                    487. Solution                                                                  488. Discovery                                                      F.        Assessment                                                                      489. Experiment                                                                 490. Measurement                                                              491. Comparison                                                                492. Discrimination                                                            493. Indiscrimination                                               G.        Conclusion                                                                      494. Judgment                                                                  495. Prejudgment                                                               496. Misjudgment                                                               497. Overestimation                                                            498. Underestimation                                                H.        Theory                                                                          499. Theory, Supposition                                                       500. Philosophy                                                     I.        Belief                                                                          501. Belief                                                                    502. Credulity                                                                 503. Unbelief                                                                  504. Incredulity                                                    J.        Grounds for Belief                                                              505. Evidence, Proof                                                           506. Disproof                                                       K.        Qualifications                                                                  507. Qualification                                                             508. No Qualifications                                                         509. Possibility                                                               510. Impossibility                                                             511. Probability                                                               512. Improbability                                                             513. Certainty                                                                 514. Uncertainty                                                               515. Gamble                                                         L.        Conformity to Fact                                                              516. Truth                                                                     517. Maxim                                                                     518. Error                                                                     519. Illusion                                                                  520. Disillusionment                                                M.        Acceptance                                                                      521. Assent                                                                    522. Dissent                                                                   523. Affirmation                                                               524. Negation, Denial                                               II.       STATES OF MIND                                                       A.        Mental Attitudes                                                                525. Mental Attitudes                                                          526. Broad-mindedness                                                          527. Narrow-mindedness                                                         528. Curiosity                                                                 529. Incuriosity                                                               530. Attention                                                                 531. Inattention                                                               532. Distraction, Confusion                                                    533. Carefulness                                                               534. Neglect                                                        B.        Creative Thought                                                                535. Imagination                                                               536. Unimaginativeness                                              C.        Recollection                                                                    537. Memory                                                                    538. Forgetfulness                                                  D.        Anticipation                                                                    539. Expectation                                                               540. Inexpectation                                                             541. Disappointment                                                            542. Foresight                                                                 543. Prediction                                                                544. Presentiment                                                   III.      COMMUNICATION                                                                  OF IDEAS                                                             A.        Nature of Ideas                                                                Communicated                                                                    545. Meaning                                                                   546. Latent Meaningfulness                                                     547. Meaninglessness                                                           548. Intelligibility                                                           549. Unintelligibility                                                         550. Ambiguity                                                                 551. Figure of Speech                                                          552. Interpretation                                                            553. Misinterpretation                                              B.        Modes of Communication                                                          554. Communication                                                             555. Manifestation                                                             556. Disclosure                                                                557. Information                                                               558. News                                                                      559. Publication                                                               560. Communications                                                            561. Messenger                                                      C.        Education                                                                       562. Teaching                                                                  563. Misteaching                                                               564. Learning                                                                  565. Teacher                                                                   566. Student                                                                   567. School                                                         D.        Indication                                                                      568. Indication                                                                569. Insignia                                                                  570. Record                                                                    571. Recorder                                                       E.        Representation                                                                  572. Representation                                                            573. Misrepresentation                                              F.        Arts of Design                                                                  574. Art                                                                       575. Sculpture                                                                 576. Ceramics                                                                  577. Photography                                                               578. Graphic Arts                                                              579. Artist                                                         G.        Language                                                                        580. Language                                                                  581. Letter                                                                    582. Word                                                                      583. Nomenclature                                                              584. Anonymity                                                                 585. Phrase                                                         H.        Grammar                                                                         586. Grammar                                                                   587. Ungrammaticalness                                              I.        Style; Mode of Expression                                                       588. Diction                                                                   589. Elegance                                                                  590. Inelegance                                                                591. Plain Speech                                                              592. Conciseness                                                               593. Diffuseness                                                    J.        Spoken Language                                                                 594. Speech                                                                    595. Imperfect Speech                                                          596. Talkativeness                                                             597. Conversation                                                              598. Soliloquy                                                                 599. Public Speaking                                                           600. Eloquence                                                                 601. Grandiloquence                                                 K.        Written Language                                                                602. Writing                                                                   603. Printing                                                                  604. Correspondence                                                            605. Book, Periodical                                                          606. Treatise                                                                  607. Abridgment                                                     L.        Linguistic Representation                                                       608. Description                                                               609. Poetry                                                                    610. Prose                                                                     611. Show Business                                                             612. Entertainer                                                    M.        Uncommunicativeness;                                                           Secrecy                                                                         613. Uncommunicativeness                                                       614. Secrecy                                                                   615. Concealment                                                    N.        Falsehood                                                                        616. Falseness                                                                617. Exaggeration                                                              618. Deception                                                                 619. Deceiver                                                                  620. Dupe                                                           CLASS SEVEN: VOLITION                                                          I.        VOLITION IN                                                                    GENERAL                                                              A.        Will                                                                            621. Will                                                                      622. Willingness                                                               623. Unwillingness                                                  B.        Resolution;                                                                    Determination                                                                   624. Resolution                                                                625. Perseverance                                                              626. Obstinacy                                                      C.        Irresolution; Caprice                                                           627. Irresolution                                                              628. Change of Allegiance                                                      629. Caprice                                                                   630. Impulse                                                        D.        Evasion                                                                         631. Avoidance                                                                 632. Escape                                                                    633. Abandonment                                                    E.        Inclination                                                                     634. Desire                                                                    635. Eagerness                                                                 636. Indifference                                                   F.        Choice                                                                          637. Choice                                                                    638. Rejection                                                                 639. Necessity                                                                 640. Predetermination                                                          641. Prearrangement                                                 G.        Custom                                                                          642. Custom, Habit                                                             643. Unaccustomedness                                                          644. Fashion                                                                   645. Social Convention                                                         646. Formality                                                                 647. Informality                                                    H.        Motive                                                                          648. Motivation, Inducement                                                    649. Pretext                                                                   650. Allurement                                                                651. Bribery                                                                   652. Dissuasion                                                     I.        Purpose                                                                         653. Intention                                                                 654. Plan                                                                      655. Pursuit                                                                   656. Business, Occupation                                           J.        Ways and Means                                                                  657. Way                                                                       658. Means                                                                     659. Provision, Equipment                                                      660. Store, Supply                                                             661. Sufficiency                                                               662. Insufficiency                                                             663. Excess                                                                    664. Satiety                                                        K.        Use                                                                             665. Use                                                                       666. Consumption                                                               667. Misuse                                                                    668. Disuse                                                                    669. Uselessness                                                    II.       CONDITIONS                                                           A.        Adaptation to Ends                                                              670. Expedience                                                                671. Inexpedience                                                              672. Importance                                                                673. Unimportance                                                              674. Goodness                                                                  675. Badness                                                                   676. Bane                                                                      677. Perfection                                                                678. Imperfection                                                              679. Blemish                                                                   680. Mediocrity                                                     B.        Wholesomeness                                                                   681. Cleanness                                                                 682. Uncleanness                                                               683. Healthfulness                                                             684. Unhealthfulness                                                C.        Health                                                                          685. Health                                                                    686. Disease                                                                   687. Remedy                                                                    688. Healing Arts                                                              689. Therapy                                                                   690. Psychology and                                                           Psychotherapy                                                        D.        Physical Progress                                                               691. Improvement                                                               692. Impairment                                                                693. Destruction                                                               694. Restoration                                                               695. Refreshment                                                               696. Relapse                                                        E.        Security                                                                        697. Danger                                                                    698. Safety                                                                    699. Protection                                                                700. Refuge                                                                    701. Preservation                                                              702. Rescue                                                                    703. Warning                                                                   704. Alarm                                                          III.      VOLUNTARY ACTION                                                     A.        Action                                                                          705. Action                                                                    706. Inaction                                                                  707. Activity                                                                  708. Inactivity                                                                709. Haste                                                                     710. Leisure                                                                   711. Rest, Repose                                                              712. Sleep                                                                     713. Wakefulness                                                    B.        Exertion; Endeavor                                                              714. Endeavor                                                                  715. Undertaking                                                               716. Exertion                                                                  717. Fatigue                                                                   718. Worker, Doer                                                              719. Workplace                                                      C.        Preparation                                                                     720. Preparation                                                               721. Unpreparedness                                                 D.        Accomplishment                                                                  722. Accomplishment                                                            723. Nonaccomplishment                                                         724. Success                                                                   725. Failure                                                                   726. Victory                                                                   727. Defeat                                                                    728. Prosperity                                                                729. Adversity                                                                 730. Hindrance                                                                 731. Difficulty                                                                732. Facility                                                       E.        Adroitness                                                                      733. Skill                                                                     734. Unskillfulness                                                            735. Cunning                                                                   736. Artlessness                                                    F.        Conduct                                                                         737. Behavior                                                                  738. Misbehavior                                                    IV.       AUTHORITY; CONTROL                                                   A.        Prerogative                                                                     739. Authority                                                                 740. Lawlessness                                                    B.        Politics and Government                                                         741. Government                                                                742. Legislature, Govern-                                                     ment Organization                                                               743. United Nations,                                                          International                                                                  Organizations                                                                   744. Politics                                                                  745. Politico-Economic Principles                                              746. Politician                                                     C.        Direction                                                                       747. Direction, Management                                                     748. Director                                                                  749. Master                                                                    750. Servant, Employee                                              D.        Directions                                                                      751. Precept                                                                   752. Command                                                                   753. Demand                                                                    754. Advice                                                                    755. Council                                                        E.        Constraint                                                                      756. Compulsion                                                                757. Strictness                                                                758. Laxness                                                                   759. Leniency                                                       F.        Restraint                                                                       760. Restraint                                                                 761. Confinement                                                    G.        Unrestraint                                                                     762. Freedom                                                                   763. Liberation                                                     H.        Subjugation                                                                     764. Subjection                                                     I.        Compliance                                                                      765. Submission                                                                766. Obedience                                                                 767. Disobedience                                                              768. Observance                                                                769. Nonobservance                                                  J.        Pledge                                                                          770. Promise                                                                   771. Compact                                                                   772. Security                                                       K.        Proposal                                                                        773. Offer                                                                     774. Request                                                        L.        Consent                                                                         775. Consent                                                                   776. Refusal                                                                   777. Permission                                                                778. Prohibition                                                               779. Repeal                                                         M.        Commission                                                                      780. Commission                                                                781. Deputy, Agent                                                             782. Promotion                                                                 783. Demotion, Deposal                                                         784. Resignation                                                    V.        SUPPORT AND OPPO-                                                              SITION                                                               A.        Support                                                                         785. Aid                                                                       786. Cooperation                                                               787. Associate                                                                 788. Association                                                               789. Labor Union                                                    B.        Opposition                                                                      790. Opposition                                                                791. Opponent                                                                  792. Resistance                                                                793. Defiance                                                       C.        Concord                                                                         794. Accord                                                                    795. Disaccord                                                      D.        Contention                                                                      796. Contention                                                                797. Warfare                                                                   798. Attack                                                                    799. Defense                                                                   800. Combatant                                                                 801. Arms                                                                      802. Arena                                                          E.        Peace                                                                           803. Peace                                                                     804. Pacification                                                              805. Mediation                                                      F.        Mid-course                                                                      806. Neutrality                                                                807. Compromise                                                     VI.       POSSESSIVE RELA-                                                               TIONS                                                                A.        Possession                                                                      808. Possession                                                                809. Possessor                                                                 810. Property                                                                  811. Acquisition                                                               812. Loss                                                                      813. Retention                                                                 814. Relinquishment                                                 B.        Sharing                                                                         815. Participation                                                             816. Apportionment                                                  C.        Transfer of Property                                                            817. Transfer of Property or Right                                             818. Giving                                                                    819. Receiving                                                                 820. Lending                                                                   821. Borrowing                                                      D.        Appropriation                                                                   822. Taking                                                                    823. Restitution                                                               824. Theft                                                                     825. Thief                                                                     826. Illicit Business                                               E.        Interchange of Property                                                         827. Commerce, Economics                                                       828. Purchase                                                                  829. Sale                                                                      830. Businessman, Merchant                                                     831. Merchandise                                                               832. Market                                                                    833. Stock Market                                                              834. Securities                                                     F.        Monetary Relations                                                              835. Money                                                                     836. Finance, Investment                                                       837. Wealth                                                                    838. Poverty                                                                   839. Financial Credit                                                          840. Debt                                                                      841. Payment                                                                   842. Nonpayment                                                                843. Expenditure                                                               844. Receipts                                                                  845. Accounts                                                                  846. Price, Fee                                                                847. Discount                                                                  848. Expensiveness                                                             849. Cheapness                                                                 850. Costlessness                                                              851. Economy                                                                   852. Parsimony                                                                 853. Liberality                                                                854. Prodigality                                                    CLASS EIGHT: AFFECTIONS                                                        I.        PERSONAL AFFECTIONS                                                  A.        Emotion                                                                         855. Feelings                                                                  856. Lack of Feelings                                               B.        Excitability                                                                    857. Excitement                                                                858. Inexcitability                                                            859. Nervousness                                                               860. Unnervousness                                                             861. Patience                                                                  862. Impatience                                                     C.        Pleasure and Pleasur-                                                          ableness                                                                        863. Pleasantness                                                              864. Unpleasantness                                                            865. Pleasure                                                                  866. Unpleasure                                                                867. Dislike                                                                   868. Contentment                                                               869. Discontent                                                                870. Cheerfulness                                                              871. Solemnity                                                                 872. Sadness                                                                   873. Regret                                                                    874. Unregretfulness                                                           875. Lamentation                                                               876. Rejoicing                                                                 877. Celebration                                                               878. Amusement                                                                 879. Dancing                                                                   880. Humorousness                                                              881. Wit, Humor                                                                882. Banter                                                                    883. Dullness                                                                  884. Tedium                                                                    885. Aggravation                                                               886. Relief                                                                    887. Comfort                                                        D.        Anticipative Emotions                                                           888. Hope                                                                      889. Hopelessness                                                   E.        Concern                                                                         890. Anxiety                                                                   891. Fear, Frighteningness                                                     892. Cowardice                                                                 893. Courage                                                                   894. Rashness                                                                  895. Caution                                                        F.        Discriminative Affections                                                       896. Fastidiousness                                                            897. Taste, Tastefulness                                                       898. Vulgarity                                                                 899. Ugliness                                                                  900. Beauty                                                                    901. Ornamentation                                                             902. Plainness                                                                 903. Affectation                                                               904. Ostentation                                                    G.        Pride                                                                           905. Pride                                                                     906. Humility                                                                  907. Servility                                                                 908. Modesty                                                                   909. Vanity                                                                    910. Boasting                                                                  911. Bluster                                                                    912. Arrogance                                                                913. Insolence                                                      H.        Esteem                                                                          914. Repute                                                                    915. Disrepute                                                                 916. Honor                                                                     917. Title                                                                     918. Nobility                                                                  919. Commonalty                                                     I.        Contemplative Emotions                                                          920. Wonder                                                                    921. Unastonishment                                                 II.       SYMPATHETIC                                                                    AFFECTIONS                                                           A.        Social Relations                                                                922. Sociability                                                               923. Unsociability                                                             924. Seclusion                                                                 925. Hospitality, Welcome                                                      926. Inhospitality                                                  B.        Social Affections                                                               927. Friendship                                                                928. Friend                                                                    929. Enmity                                                                    930. Hate                                                                      931. Love                                                                      932. Lovemaking, Endearment                                                    933. Marriage                                                                  934. Celibacy                                                                  935. Divorce, Widowhood                                             C.        Civility                                                                        936. Courtesy                                                                  937. Discourtesy                                                    D.        Benevolence                                                                     938. Kindness, Benevolence                                                     939. Unkindness, Malevolence                                                   940. Misanthropy                                                               941. Public Spirit                                                             942. Benefactor                                                                943. Evildoer                                                       E.        Sympathy                                                                        944. Pity                                                                      945. Pitilessness                                                              946. Condolence                                                                947. Forgiveness                                                               948. Congratulation                                                 F.        Gratefulness                                                                    949. Gratitude                                                                 950. Ingratitude                                                    G.        Ill Humor                                                                       951. Ill Humor                                                                 952. Resentment, Anger                                              H.        Selfish Resentment                                                              953. Jealousy                                                                  954. Envy                                                           I.        Reprisal                                                                        955. Retaliation                                                               956. Revenge                                                        III.      MORALITY                                                             A.        Morals                                                                          957. Ethics                                                                    958. Right                                                                     959. Wrong                                                          B.        Moral Obligation                                                                960. Dueness                                                                   961. Undueness                                                                 962. Duty                                                                      963. Imposition                                                     C.        Moral Sentiments                                                                964. Respect                                                                   965. Disrespect                                                                966. Contempt                                                                  967. Ridicule                                                                  968. Approval                                                                  969. Disapproval                                                               970. Flattery                                                                  971. Disparagement                                                             972. Curse                                                                     973. Threat                                                         D.        Moral Conditions                                                                974. Probity                                                                   975. Improbity                                                                 976. Justice                                                                   977. Injustice                                                                 978. Selfishness                                                               979. Unselfishness                                                             980. Virtue                                                                    981. Vice                                                                      982. Wrongdoing, Sin                                                           983. Guilt                                                                     984. Innocence                                                                 985. Good Person                                                               986. Bad Person                                                     E.        Moral Practice                                                                  987. Sensuality                                                                988. Chastity                                                                  989. Unchastity                                                                990. Indecency                                                                 991. Asceticism                                                                992. Temperance                                                                993. Intemperance                                                              994. Gluttony                                                                  995. Fasting                                                                   996. Intoxication                                                              997. Sobriety                                                       F.        Moral Observance                                                                998. Legality                                                                  999. Illegality                                                               1000. Jurisdiction                                                             1001. Tribunal                                                                 1002. Judge, Jury                                                              1003. Lawyer                                                                   1004. Legal Action                                                             1005. Accusation                                                               1006. Justification                                                            1007. Acquittal                                                                1008. Condemnation                                                             1009. Penalty                                                                  1010. Punishment                                                               1011. Instruments of Punishment                                                1012. Atonement                                                      IV.       RELIGION                                                             A.        Supernatural Beings                                                            1013. Deity                                                                    1014. Mythical and Poly-                                                       theistic Gods and                                                              Spirits                                                                        1015. Angel, Saint                                                             1016. Evil Spirits                                                             1017. Specter                                                        B.        Supernatural Regions                                                           1018. Heaven                                                                   1019. Hell                                                           C.        Religious Beliefs                                                              1020. Religions, Cults, Sects                                                  1021. Scripture                                                                1022. Prophets, Religious Founders                                             1023. Theology                                                                 1024. Orthodoxy                                                                1025. Unorthodoxy                                                    D.        Religious Quality                                                              1026. Sanctity                                                                 1027. Unsanctity                                                     E.        Religious Sentiments                                                           1028. Piety                                                                    1029. Sanctimony                                                               1030. Impiety                                                                  1031. Nonreligiousness                                               F.        Religious Practice                                                             1032. Worship                                                                  1033. Idolatry                                                       G.        Supernaturalism                                                                1034. Occultism                                                                1035. Sorcery                                                                  1036. Spell, Charm                                                   H.        Churchdom                                                                      1037. The Ministry                                                             1038. Clergy                                                                   1039. Laity                                                                    1040. Religious Rites                                                          1041. Ecclesiastical Attire                                                    1042. Religious Buildings                                            ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for automatically determining a meaning from a sequence of words in a machine, comprising the steps of:receiving a sequence of words in the machine; using said machine to access a database that includes a prestored plurality of categories of meaning for each said word, to obtain at least one category of meaning for each of said words of said sequence; and using said machine to select certain ones of said plurality of categories of meanings by determining ones of said categories of meanings which are common for different ones of said respective words, said common categories of meanings being used as abstracted meanings for the sequence.
 2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said database is of the type that includes a plurality of pre-stored categories of meanings at different levels of abstraction for each said word, said levels of abstraction ranging progressively from a first level of abstraction which is a more specific category of meaning of the word to a last level of abstraction which is a more general category of meaning of the word, wherein said at least one category of meaning for each said word includes categories of meanings from each said level of abstraction for each said word, and wherein said selecting step includes the step of determining common categories of meaning within each said level of abstraction for each said word, and using said common categories of meaning for each said level of abstraction as said abstracted meanings within said each level of abstraction.
 3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said using said machine to select step includes the steps of:storing a multiple-dimension array of information from said database, each said level of abstraction representing one dimension of the array, and each word of the sequence representing another dimension of the array, and using said machine to determine common categories of meanings and numbers of occurrences of said common categories of meanings among said words, within each said one dimension representing each said level of abstraction.
 4. A method as in claim 2, further comprising the step of processing said abstracted meaning by correlating categories of meanings within one of said levels of abstraction to categories of meanings within another level of abstraction.
 5. A method as in claim 2, wherein said sequence of words is in natural language, and said database is a Roget-type database stored in said machine having multiple levels of abstraction.
 6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said database is Roget's thesaurus stored in said machine and has four levels of abstraction.
 7. A method as in claim 1, wherein said using said machine to select step includes the steps of:storing an array of information from said database, each element of the array including said at least one category of meaning for one of said words, and determining common ones of said categories of meanings.
 8. A method for automatically abstracting a meaning from a sequence of words using a machine, comprising the steps of:receiving a sequence of words in said machine; accessing a database with said machine of the type that includes a plurality of categories of meanings at different levels of abstraction for each said word, each said level of abstraction ranging progressively from a first level which is a more specific category of meaning of the word to a last level which is a more general category of meaning of the word, to obtain a plurality of categories of meanings for each said word which includes categories of meanings from each said level of abstraction for each said word of said sequence; using said machine to determine ones of said categories of meanings within each said level of abstraction which are common for different ones of said respective words; and using said common categories of meanings as abstracted meanings for the sequence.
 9. A method as in claim 8, comprising the further step of processing said abstracted meanings to obtain a plurality of classifications into which said sequence belongs.
 10. A method as in claim 8, further comprising the step of processing said abstracted meanings by correlating categories of meanings within one of said levels of abstraction to categories of meanings within another level of abstraction.
 11. A method as in claim 8, wherein said sequence is in natural language, and said database is a Roget-type database stored in said machine.
 12. A method as in claim 11, wherein said database is Roget's international Thesaurus stored in said machine.
 13. A method for automatically using a Roget-type database that includes a plurality of categories of meanings at different levels of abstraction for a plurality of words, each said level of abstraction ranging progressively from a first level which is a more specific category of meaning of the word to a last level which is a more detailed category of meaning of the word to abstract a category of meaning from a sequence of words in natural language, comprising the steps of:receiving a sequence of words in natural language in a machine; accessing said Roget-type database to obtain a plurality of categories of meanings for each said word from each said level of abstraction for reach said word of said sequence; using said machine to determine commonality by determining ones of said categories of meanings within each said level of abstraction which are common for different ones of said respective words at said each level of abstraction; and using said common categories of meanings as abstracted meanings for the sequence.
 14. A method for automatically abstracting a category of meaning from a sequence of words using a machine, comprising the steps of:using said machine to obtain for each of a sequence of words, pointers to all categories of meanings which said each word can convey; and determining which are the most likely categories of meanings to be intended by the sequence, by determining ones of said categories of meanings which are common for different ones of said respective words.
 15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said obtaining step includes the steps of obtaining said categories of meanings at each of a plurality of different levels of abstraction for each said word, said levels of abstraction ranging progressively from a lowest level of abstraction which is a more specific category of meaning of the word to a highest level of abstraction which is a more general category of meaning of the word, wherein said at least one category of meaning for each said word includes categories of meanings from each said level of abstraction for each said word, and wherein said determining step includes the step of determining common elements within each said level of abstraction for each said word, and further comprising the step of using said common categories of meanings as abstracted meanings for the sequence.
 16. A method as in claim 15, further comprising the step of processing said abstracted meanings in said machine by correlating categories of meanings within one of said levels of abstraction to categories of meanings within another level of abstraction.
 17. A method as in claim -6, wherein said processing step includes the steps of:deriving and storing a plurality of pre-formed rules for correlating one of said levels of abstraction with another level of abstraction.
 18. A method as in claim 17, wherein said rule is derived by:taking a first level of abstraction and processing each category of meaning in said first level of abstraction by correlating categories of meanings within each of a second level of abstraction more specific than said first level of abstraction to get a plurality of results in each said second level of abstraction for each said first level of abstraction, mapping each said result in said second level into a third level of abstraction more general than said first level; and determining if any of said mapped third level results are present and using said second level of abstraction for said present third level of abstraction as results.
 19. An apparatus for automatically abstracting a meaning from a sequence of words, using a machine comprising:means for receiving a sequence of words; database means, including a prestored plurality of categories of meaning for each said word, for producing at least one category of meaning for each of said words of said sequence; and processing means for automatically selecting certain ones of said plurality of categories of meanings by determining categories of meanings which are common for different ones of said respective words, said common categories of meanings being used as abstracted meanings for the sequence.
 20. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein said database means stores a plurality of pre-stored categories of meanings at different levels of abstraction for each said word, said levels of abstraction ranging progressively from a lowest level of abstraction which is a more specific category of meaning of the word to a last level of abstraction which is a more general category of meaning of the word, wherein said at least one category of meaning for each said word includes categories of meanings from each said level of abstraction for each said word, and wherein said processing means includes means for determining common elements within each said level of abstraction for each said word, and using said common elements for each said level of abstraction as said abstracted meanings within said each level of abstraction.
 21. An apparatus as in claim 20, wherein said processing means includes:means for storing a multiple-dimensional array of information from said database means, each said level of abstraction representing one dimension of the array, and each word of the sequence representing another dimension of the array, and means for determining common categories of meanings among said words, within each said one dimension representing each said level of abstraction.
 22. An apparatus as in claim 20, wherein said processing means processes said abstracted meanings by correlating categories of meaning within one of said levels of abstraction to categories of meaning within another level of abstraction.
 23. An apparatus as in claim 20, wherein said sequence of words is in natural language, and said database means is a Roget-type database having multiple levels of abstraction.
 24. An apparatus as in claim 23, wherein said database is Roget's thesaurus, and has four levels of abstraction.
 25. An apparats as in claim 19, wherein said processing means includes means for:storing an array of information from said database means, each element of the array including said at least one category of meaning for said each word, and determining common ones of said categories of meaning.
 26. An apparatus for automatically abstracting a meaning from a sequence of words using a machine, comprising:means for receiving a sequence of words; a database processor of the type that includes a plurality of categories of meanings at different levels of abstraction for each said word, each said level of abstraction ranging progressively from a lowest level which is a more specific category of meaning of the word to a last level which is a more general category of meaning of the word, for receiving said sequence of words and analyzing each said word to obtain a plurality of categories of meaning for each said word which includes category of meanings from each said level of abstraction for each said word of said sequence; and processing means for automatically determining ones of said categories of meanings within each said level of abstraction which are common for different ones of said respective words and using said common categories of meanings as abstracted meanings for the sequence.
 27. An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein said processing means comprises means for further processing said abstracted meanings to obtain a plurality of further categories of meaning into which said sequence belongs.
 28. An apparatus as in claim 26, further comprising the step of processing said abstracted meanings by correlating categories of meanings within one of said levels of abstraction to categories of meanings within another level of abstraction.
 29. An apparatus as in claim 26, wherein said sequence is in natural language, and said database is a Roget-type database.
 30. An apparatus for automatically abstracting a category of meaning from a sequence of words using a machine, comprising:means for obtaining, for each of a sequence of words, pointers to all categories of meanings which said each word can convey; and means for automatically determining which are the most likely categories of meanings to be intended by the sequence, by determining ones of said categories of meanings which are common for different ones of said respective words.
 31. An apparatus as in claim 30, wherein said obtaining means includes means for obtaining said categories of meanings at each of a plurality of different levels of abstraction for each said word, said levels of abstraction ranging progressively from a lowest level of abstraction which is a more specific category of meaning of the word to a highest level of abstraction which is a more general category of meaning of the word, wherein said at least one category of meaning for each said word includes categories of meanings from each said level of abstraction for each said word, and wherein said determining means includes means for determining common elements within each said level of abstraction for each said word.
 32. An apparatus as in claim 31, wherein said determining means further comprises means for processing said abstracted category of meaning by correlating categories of meanings within one of said levels of abstraction to category of meanings within another level of abstraction.
 33. An apparatus as in claim 32, wherein said processing means includes means for:deriving and storing a plurality of pre-formed rules for correlating one of said levels of abstraction with another level of abstraction.
 34. An apparatus as in claim 33, wherein said processing means includes means for deriving said rule by:taking a first level of abstraction and processing each category of meaning in said first level of abstraction by correlating categories of meanings within each of a second level of abstraction within said first level of abstraction, and which second level of abstraction is one more specific than said first level of abstraction, to get a plurality of results in each said second level of abstraction for each said first level of abstraction, mapping each said result in said second level into a third level of abstraction more general than said first level; and determining if any of said mapped third level results are present and using said second level of abstraction for said present third level of abstraction as results. 